Polish Justice System during the Covid-19 Pandemic

• Sławomir Szczerba

The current functioning of courts is extremely important for securing the individual rights of citizens and the stability of economic turnover. The outbreak of pandemic has a profound impact on judiciary, which must nowadays face new challenges. Different legal and factual restrictions have been implemented. At the worst moment of the pandemic, the courts stopped working, access to the courtroom was restricted not only for the public but also for the parties if they were not summoned to appear in person; the courts have started hearing cases in closed session. Consequently, the access to justice has been limited, which raises questions about the transparency of judicial proceedings. These restrictions may be inconvenient, but they may contribute as well to the improvement of the judicial system in the future.